Friday, August 24, 2012

Recent Reads v.5

I haven't been reading much since my last update but did read these four books in the past three or so weeks. Gone Girl is the most recent "talk of Twitter". I couldn't be the only one who didn't read it! It took me a little while to get into it and after the first 100 pages, it still hadn't sucked me in. The entire time I was reading it, I felt like I was just waiting for that big "OMG" moment and it just never happened. Yes, it's a "messed up" book but I felt like the author was really struggling to "get there" and then once she did, she said, "Okay, I'm done." And just like that it was over. I know that's really vague but I don't want to give away anything in case you haven't read it. Did I enjoy it? Yes. But I think that Diane Chamberlain does a better job of throwing you crazy curve balls in her novels that really keep you on your toes.

Yankee Doodle Dixie is the sequel to Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter. It's a quick, easy read. Nothing profound but a cute book nonetheless.

Always Something There To Remind Me was a great book. I read it all in one day because I couldn't put it down. It's a book that I think a lot of people can relate to which helps to suck you in. I'd definitely recommend it.

I'm about half way through The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I bought it months ago and just never started it. It's obviously not a light-hearted fiction novel but it's really interesting. I know a few people on Twitter commented to say that they really liked it so I'm looking forward to finishing it.

I still haven't read Gone Girl. I keep hearing mixed reviews about it. My husband read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and ended up really liking it. It took him awhile to get into it but said that it was a really interesting read.

Just read through your recent reads posts, and wanted to let you know Emilie Giffin's latest, Where We Belong is amazing. And- the storyline is much more mature than her past novels. No storyline of infidelity either. Highly recommend! Also, if you've not read any of Jane Green's novels, I must recommend you check out a few of her latest. She's my favorite author and I think you'd enjoy her books. Happy reading!

I totally agree about Gone Girl. Once I hit the major OMG moment halfway through, it just felt a tad contrived/hurried. If you like books with a Southern feel to them, you'd probably really like Leila Meacham's books, "Roses" and "Tumbleweeds". I absolutely loved 'Roses', it reminded me a little of 'Gone with the Wind', and I just finished 'Tumbleweeds' - which was a little Friday Night Lights, a little murder mystery, and with a love triangle. Finished it in three days, I definitely recommend it!

I read "Immortal Life.." last year. I'm not much of a non-fiction reader but really enjoyed it and learned a lot....it was actually a book chosen for all of our incoming freshmen to read to have a common experience to talk about in their classes - and there is a lot for them to discuss on many subjects!

That is EXACTLY how I felt about "Gone Girl"-- it never hooked me, it dragged and dragged, and then it anti-climatically peaked and then ended almost at the same time. As for Henrietta, that would be one of my top favorites... ever. Enjoy!

I've heard so much about Gone Girl and I definitely want to read it, but I'm not sure it's worth actually buying. Your review of it confirms that feeling! I read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks recently and really enjoyed it. I'd love to know what you think once you've finished it!